Motor utilizing basic factor and having generator function

ABSTRACT

A motor which has an improved energy efficiency, is excellent in practical use and has a generator function at the same time. The motor is provided with a basic factor  15  having working surfaces  55   a  and  55   c  on both sides thereof, respectively, and movable members  57  made of a magnetic material and arranged opposite to the working surfaces, respectively. Further, the basic factor  15  is provided with an electromagnet element  17  and permanent magnets  19  arranged on both sides thereof through contact surfaces, respectively, and the working surfaces and the contact surfaces are held opposite to each other through the permanent magnets  19,  respectively.

This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 09/580,258 filed on May 26,2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,518,681.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to rotary type motors or stepping motorswhich utilize a hybrid type magnet called a basic factor and which aredriven by a DC pulsating current.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (JP-A) No.H11-214217 (214217/1999) discloses a hybrid type magnet. This hybridtype magnet is called a basic factor and forms a closed magnetic path byan electromagnet formed by winding an exciting coil about the center ofa U-shaped member and an engaging member comprising magnetic membersarranged on both ends of a permanent magnet. Further, a movable membermade of a soft magnetic material is arranged in opposite relationshipwith the outer surface of the engaging member of the hybrid magnetthrough an air gap.

Where no electrical current is applied to the exciting coil, a magneticpath or circuit is formed in the hybrid magnet by the line of magneticforce of the permanent magnet so that no attractive force generates onthe movable member. On the other hand, when an electrical current isapplied through the exciting coil so as to form a magnetic path in adirection reverse to the magnetic line of force of the permanent magnet,the magnetic line of force of the permanent magnet does not form aclosed magnetic path within the hybrid magnet but generates anattractive force with respect to the movable member by forming amagnetic path through the air gap.

Further, Japanese Patent Application No. H10-321044 (321044/1998)discloses a motor which uses such a hybrid magnet. This motor isprovided with a couple of hybrid magnets arranged horizontally inopposite relationship with each other and a slide member disposedbetween the hybrid magnets. The slide member comprises a non-magneticmember through which rails pass in a direction normal to the opposingdirection of the hybrid magnets and is capable of moving in thedirection of the rails by attractive force effected by the hybridmagnets.

However, the motor using the conventional hybrid magnets still has hadroom for its improvement in practical use from the point of view of itsenergy efficiency.

Further, if the motor using the conventional hybrid magnet is providedwith a function serving as a generator, it will be possible to make moreeffective use of energy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a first object of the present invention to provide a motorprovided with a basic factor(s) which can be miniaturized, which has animproved energy efficiency and which is excellent in practical use.

It is a second object of the present invention to provide a motorprovided with a basic factor(s) and having a power generating function.

It is a third object of the present invention to provide a linear motorformed of a motor provided with the above-described basic factor(s).

It is a fourth object of the present invention to provide a steppingrotary motor formed of a motor having the above-described basicfactor(s).

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a motorwhich comprises a basic factor having working surfaces on both sidesthereof and attraction members formed of a magnetic material andarranged opposite to the working surfaces so as to be attracted to theworking surfaces, respectively. In the aspect of the present invention,the basic factor includes an electromagnet element and permanent magnetelements arranged on both sides of the electromagnet element throughcontact surfaces, respectively, such that the working surfaces and thecontact surfaces are held opposite to each other through the permanentmagnet element, respectively.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a motorwhich has a power generating function and comprises a first drive memberhaving first basic factors arranged about a rotary shaft and havingfirst working surfaces on the outside thereof and first windings at thecenter thereof, and a second drive member having second basic factorsarranged around the first basic factors and having second workingsurfaces inside thereof and second windings outside thereof. In theaspect of the present invention, the first working surfaces of the firstbasic factors are held opposite to the second working surfaces of thesecond basic factors leaving a predetermined gap therebetween at aposition to which the first drive member reaches as a result of itssingle rotation about the rotary shaft of the first drive member. When aDC pulsating current is applied to the first windings of the first basicfactors, the first working surfaces apply attractive forces to thesecond working surfaces, respectively, only for a period of time duringwhich the DC pulsating current is continuously applied so that the firstdrive member rotates relative to the second drive member and a DCpulsating current generating in the second windings can be derivedtherefrom.

In the present invention, an attracted substance will be referred to as“an attraction member”, which is attracted by magnetic force of thebasic factor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a conventional hybrid type magnet;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing one example of a motor using the hybrid typemagnet shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a basic factor for use with a motoraccording to the present invention;

FIG. 3B is an exploded perspective view of the basic factor shown inFIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a front view of the basic factor shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3D is a front view of the basic factor shown in FIG. 3B;

FIGS. 4A through 4C are front views, respectively, of the basic factorshown in FIGS. 3A through 3D with the views being given for illustratingthe operation principle of the basic factor shown in FIGS. 3A through3D;

FIGS. 5A through 5C are front views of the basic factor shown in FIGS.3A through 3D with the views being given for illustrating the operationprinciple of the basic factor;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a basic structure of a motor using a basicfactor according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a motor having the basic structure of the motorshown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8A is a plan view of a rotary motor having the basic structureshown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 8B is a side view of the rotary motor shown in FIG. 8A;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a structure of a linear motor accordingto a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a rotary motor according to a third embodimentof the present invention;

FIGS. 11A through 11C are sectional views taken along the XIA—XIA line,XIB—XIB line and XIC—XIC line, respectively;

FIG. 12 is a side view of a rotary motor using basic factors accordingto a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the rotary motor shown in FIG. 12.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

First, prior to describing preferred embodiments of the presentinvention and in order to facilitate the understanding of the presentinvention, a prior art hybrid type magnet and a motor using such magnetwill be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

Referring to FIG. 1, a hybrid type magnet 15 (hereinafter referred to asthe “hybrid magnet”) disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No.27884/1998 is also called a basic factor and is provided with anelectromagnet element 17 and an engaging member or permanent magnetelement 19 closely attached to both ends of the electromagnet element17, respectively. The electromagnet element 17 comprises a base 21, ayoke 25, and an exiting coil 27. The yoke 25 is made of a U-shapedmaterial and is provided with legs 23 projecting in the same directionfrom both ends of the base 21. The exciting coil 27 is wound around thebase 21 of the yoke 25.

At the same time, the engaging member 19 is provided with a permanentmagnet 29 and magnetic members 31 sandwiching both sides of thepermanent magnet 29 therebetween.

Now, assuming that in the state shown in FIG. 1, the outer surface ofthe engaging member 19 of the hybrid magnet 15 be a working surface Xand a movable member 33 made of a soft magnetic material 33 come closeto the working surface X while connecting surfaces P and Q do not adhereto, or repulse against each other, when an electrical current is appliedto the exciting coil 27, the magnetic line of force of the permanentmagnet 29 does not constitute a closed magnetic path within the hybridmagnet 15 but goes beyond the connecting surfaces P and Q to constitutea magnetic path with respect to a movable member 33 through an air gapso that a attractive force is generated on the working surface X.

Referring to FIG. 2, a motor 35 disclosed in the Japanese PatentApplication No. H10-321044 (321044/1998) is provided with a couple ofhybrid magnets 15 arranged horizontally in opposite relationship witheach other and a slide member 37 arranged between the hybrid magnets 15capable of sliding vertically with respect to the surface of thedrawing. The slide member 37 is provided at the central portion thereofwith a square columnar base 39 made of non-magnetic member having upperand lower holes 41, 41 through which rails (not shown) extend,respectively. Further, to both right and left sides of the base 39,there are attached a mounting plate 43 made of non-magnetic member, andthere are attached magnetic movable members 45 at both end portion ofthe mounting plate 43, respectively. Between each of the movable members45 and the engaging member 19 of the hybrid magnet 15 there is provideda gap G.

In the case of the motor 35 of the above-described structure, theattractive force acting on the magnetic member which is passed by thehybrid magnet 15 is such that the attractive force is larger than whenonly an electromagnet is used at the same current value and that theenergy acting on the slide member 37 becomes larger.

Next, the basic principle of the motor according to the presentinvention will be described in detail for the purpose of facilitatingthe understanding of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a basic factor for use in the motoraccording to the present invention and FIG. 3B is an explodedperspective view of the basic factor shown in FIG. 3A. Further, FIG. 3Cis a front view of the basic factor shown in FIG. 3B and FIG. 3D is afront view of the basic factor shown in FIG. 3A.

Referring to FIGS. 3A through 3D, a basic factor 15 is provided with apermanent magnet element 19 and an electromagnet element 17. Thepermanent magnet element 19 is formed in such a manner that both sidesof a hard magnetic body or permanent magnetic body 29, such as aneodymium magnet (Nd—Fe—B), are sandwiched by soft magnetic bodies 31made of a material, such as pure iron in the direction of magnetizationthereof. The basic factor is similar to the hybrid magnet andrepresented by the same reference numeral.

On the other hand, the electromagnet element 17 includes a base 21, acore or a yoke 25 in the form of a soft magnetic body made of a U-shapedpure iron and having a pair of legs 23 projecting from both ends of thebase 21 in the same direction and a coil 27 made of a conductive wire,such as a copper wire with an insulation cover therearound, wound aroundthe base 21 of the core 25.

As will be shown in its most favorable condition in FIGS. 3A and 3D,between the permanent magnet element 19 and both end faces of the core25 of the electromagnet element 17, there are formed connecting surfaces47 and 49 respectively.

Next, the operation principle of the basic factor 15 shown in FIGS. 3Athrough 3D will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A through 4C.

Referring to FIG. 4A, when the electromagnet element 17 is notenergized, the magnetic line of force of the permanent magnet element 19only goes round along a closed magnetic path of the basic factor 15 asshown by the arrow 51 and almost no magnetic flux leakage into thesurrounding air takes place. Accordingly, the connecting surfaces 47 and49 are firmly adhered to the electromagnet element 17. In this case, theabsorbing force of each of the connecting surfaces 47 and 49 isgenerated by the permanent magnet element 19 and this phenomenon iscalled herein a first state.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4B, when an electrical current capable ofgenerating a number of magnetic fluxes larger than that of the permanentmagnet element 19 is applied to the electromagnet element 17 by causingthe same magnetic poles to face each other, the line of magnetic forceof the permanent magnet element 19 is pushed back from the closedmagnetic path above the connecting surfaces 47 and 49 by the line ofmagnetic force of the electromagnet element 17 and when it goes beyondthe saturated condition of the permanent magnet, it is discharged intothe air as indicated by the arrow 53. In this case, if the number ofmagnetic fluxes of the electromagnet element 17 is sufficiently large,the line of magnetic force to be discharged into the air is a synthesisof that of the permanent magnet element 19 and that of the electromagnetelement 17.

Accordingly, the absorbing forces of the connecting surfaces 47 and 49are considered to have been produced only by the electromagnet element17. This phenomenon is called a second state.

Next, a description will be made of a case in which as shown in FIG. 4C,an electric current capable of generating the number of magnetic fluxessame as that of magnetic fluxes of the permanent magnet element 19 isapplied to the electromagnet element 17 by causing the same magneticpoles of the two magnets to face each other and the resultant magneticflux is below the saturated condition of the residual magnetic fluxdensity of the basic factor 15 itself.

In the above case, the connecting surfaces 47 and 49 are held in anineffective state in which no attraction nor repulsion take place. Thismeans that the line of magnetic force of the permanent magnet element 19and that of the electromagnet element 17 do not communicate with eachother through the connecting surfaces 47 and 49. It is noted that if thenumber of magnetic fluxes and that of the electromagnet element 17exceed the saturated condition of the residual magnetic flux density ofthe basic factor 15 itself are the same and large, the connectingsurfaces 47 and 49 repulse against each other and the line of magneticforce of each of the magnet elements is discharged into the air as aleakage flux. This phenomenon is called a third state.

In the above third state, assume that, as shown in FIG. 5, the basicfactor 15 have a working surface 55 designated by X and a movable orfixed attraction member (Y) 57 come close to X. Note that the attractionmember (Y) 57 is made of a soft magnetic material, such as pure iron.

In the state shown in FIG. 5, assume that the value of electricalcurrent to be applied to the electromagnet element 17 be α, the value ofα would become small as the air gap between the basic factor 15 and theattraction member (Y) 57 is reduced in the state in which the contactsurfaces 47 and 49 are held ineffective. This means that the line ofmagnetic force of the permanent magnet element 19 does not constitute aclosed magnetic path within the basic factor 15 by going beyond theconnecting surfaces 47 and 49 but constitutes a magnetic path through anair gap G between the basic factor 15 and the attraction member (Y) 57causing a attractive force to generate on the working surface (X) 55. Inthis case, the amount of the value of α to be applied to theelectromagnet element 17 may be sufficient if it can interrupt the lineof magnetic force of the permanent magnet element 19 and therefore, theeasier the formation of a magnetic path by the permanent magnet element19 together with the movable member 57 becomes, in other words, the morethe attractive force of the working surface (X) 55 increases, thesmaller the value of α would become. It should be noted that theattractive force of the working surface (X) is limited by theperformance of the permanent magnet as a matter of course. Thisphenomenon is called a fourth state.

However, like the second state, when a large amount of electricalcurrent is applied to the electromagnet element 17, the attractive forceof the working surface (X) 55 can be made strong because it is asynthesis of the line of the magnetic force of the permanent magnetelement 19 and that of the line of the magnetic force of theelectromagnet element 17 but the efficiency of energy becomes worse.

In the fourth state, the attractive force of the working surface (X) 55is increased and the value of α reduced under the following threeconditions (i)-(iii):

(i) To reduce the size of the air gap G of the working surface (X) 55.

(ii) To make the yoke of the permanent magnet element 19 and the softmagnetic portion of the attraction member (Y) 57 by using a materialhaving a saturation magnetic flux density higher than that of the coreor yoke of the electromagnet element.

(iii) To make the length L2 of the magnetic path formed by the permanentmagnet element 19 and the attraction member (Y) through an air gapshorter than the length L1 of the closed path within the basic factor15. By the way, it goes without saying that in order to increase theattractive force on the working surface (X) 55, the performance (Br, BH)of the permanent magnet element 19 itself should be increased. Further,as one of elements for substituting the neodymium magnet, asuperconductive magnet may be used.

Where the product is actually designed, if it is assumed that thelength(width) of the permanent magnet element 19 itself in the directionof magnetization be L, the length of the permanent magnet element 19 beXL and the sectional area thereof be Z, suitable values for L and XL canbe calculated on the bases of a Z, Br and BH curve graph and thecoefficient of permeance so that the optimum sizes of the permanentmagnet element 19 and the attraction member(Y) 57 can be derivedtherefrom. Therefore, the electromagnet element 17 suitable for thispermanent magnet element 19 may well be designed in consideration of theabove-described first through fourth states.

In the structure comprising a combination of the basic factor and theattraction member (Y) 57 according to the present invention, the airgap, materials, the length of the magnetic path, sectional area, volume,coil diameter and the like employed therein are made the same as thoseemployed in the structure comprising a combination of the electromagnetelement 19 and the attraction member 57 for comparison purposes.

As a result of comparison between the structure according to the presentinvention and the structure as a comparison example comprising theelectromagnet element 17 and the attraction member 57 without theprovision of the permanent magnet element 19, it has been found that theelectrical energy (W) required for the structure of the presentinvention is less than one-third through one-fourth of that which isrequired for the comparison example having no permanent magnet element19 when the attractive force of each of the working surfaces is the samebetween the two.

Further, when we suppose a reluctance motor to which the structure ofthe above-described comparison example is applied, the energy conversionefficiency thereof will be about 30%. However, if a reluctance motorutilizing the structure of the present invention requires an electricalenergy of less than 30% as compared to the structure of the comparisonexample, an output exceeding the electrical input can be estimated andthis fact shows that the energy of the permanent magnet element is beingconverted into a dynamic energy corresponding thereto.

Now, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed by referring to FIGS. 6 through 13.

Referring to FIG. 6, a basic structure 59 of a motor using a basicfactor according to a first embodiment of the present invention is suchthat the attraction member 57 is arranged close to one end of the basicfactor 15. In this arrangement, when an input value α is applied to anexciting coil 27, the attraction member 57 is made to have a attractiveforce.

Referring to FIG. 7, the motor having the basic structure shown in FIG.6 is provided with a basic factor 67 comprising a copper winding 65wound around a core 63 in the shape of H in section and workingsurfaces(X) 55 a and 55 c on both right and left sides thereof. Further,the attraction members 57 are provided outside the working surfaces 55 aand 55 c, in opposite relationships with each other, respectively. Thisstructure has the advantage that the attractive force becomes two timesthat of the structure with one attraction member shown in FIG. 6 becauseof the provision of the two attraction members 57, 57.

Referring to FIG. 8A, a rotary motor 69 having the basic structure shownin FIG. 6 is provided with two upper and lower basic factors 73 and 75arranged vertically along a common axis 71 so as to have workingsurfaces on both sides thereof, respectively. Further, outside the upperbasic factor 73 there are arranged attraction members or movable members77 and 79 in opposite relationship with each other and outside the lowerbasic factor 75 there are arranged attraction members 81 and 83 inopposite relationship with each other so as to intersect at right angleswith the opposing direction of the attraction members 77 and 79.

Next, the operation of the rotary motor 69 having the above-describedstructure will be described.

First, in the state shown in FIG. 8B, when a DC pulsating current isapplied to the winding (not shown) of the basic factor 73, attractiveforces are generated between a working surface 85 and the attractionmember 81 and between a working surface 87 and the attraction member 83,respectively, and the basic factor 73 rotates about the central axis 71by an angle of about 90 degrees until the working surfaces 85 and 87come to lie opposite to the attraction members 81 and 83, respectively.

Next, at the position at which the basic factor 73 has rotated, thepulsating current goes OFF so that the attractive forces on the workingsurfaces 85 and 87 become zero and the basic factor 73 rotates byinertia in such a manner that the working surfaces 85 and 87 pass theopposing position of the attraction members 81 and 83. Next, when thebasic factor 75 is operated by the application of a DC pulsating currentto the winding (not shown) of the basic factor 75, attractive forcesgenerate between the working surface 89 and the attraction member 79 andbetween the working surface 87 and the attraction member 77,respectively, so that the basic factor 75 rotates further about thecentral axis by an angle of 90 degrees. Thus, when the working surface89 and the attraction member 79 and a working surface 91 and theattraction member 77 are held opposite to each other, respectively, thepulsating current goes OFF so that the basic factor 75 rotates furtherby some degree with inertia beyond the opposing position of the workingsurface 89 and the attraction member 79 and that of the working surface91 and the attraction member 77.

Similarly, when a DC pulsating current having a predetermined pulsewidth is applied to the windings of the basic factors 73 and 75 in analternative fashion, it is possible to constitute a DC stepping motorhaving a rotor comprising the two connected basic factors 73 and 75 androtatable about a central axis.

It should be noted that the basic factors 73 and 75 can be fixed and theattraction members 77, 79, 81 and 83 can be made rotatable.

Referring to FIG. 9, a linear motor 93 according to a second embodimentof the present invention employs the structure shown in FIG. 7 and isconstructed such that each of basic factors 95 a, 95 b and 95 c havingthe same shape comprises a core 97 formed by connecting a couple ofH-shaped cores side to side, a copper winding 65 wound around the core97, and combined permanent magnet elements with working surfaces 99 aand 99 a′ (99 b and 99 b′ and 99 c and 99 c′) formed on both sidesthereof. Such a combined permanent magnet element of FIG. 9 is formed bya combination of a pair of permanent magnet elements (FIG. 7) in series.Each of the permanent magnet elements has a permanent magnetic body 96corresponding to a copper winding 95 and two soft magnetic bodiessandwiching the permanent magnetic body. These basic factors 95 a, 95 band 95 c are arranged in series leaving a predetermined interval(hereinafter referred to as the “first interval”) thereamong therebyforming a central member 95 serving as a movable element. Further,outside the working surfaces 95 a and 95 a′, 95 b and 95 b′ and 95 c and95 c′ of the central member 95 there are arranged, in series, attractionmembers 101 a through 101 i serving as a stator leaving a predeterminedinterval (hereinafter referred to as the “second interval”) so as tohave side surfaces facing the above-mentioned working surfaces,respectively.

Further, the arrangement pitch of the attraction members 101 a through101 i is made smaller than that of the basic factors 95 a, 95 b and 95c. That is, the first interval is larger than the second interval.

Next, the operation of the linear motor shown in FIG. 9 will bedescribed.

Referring to FIG. 9, the linear motor 93 operates such that when a DCpulsating current having a predetermined pulse width is applied to eachof the coils 65 of the basic factor 95 b, a attractive force is effectedbetween each of the working surfaces 99 b and 99 b′ of the basic factor95 b and each of the attraction members 101 c and 101 c′ and the centralmember 95 moves toward this side, that is, toward the direction in whichthe basic factors 95 a, 95 b and 96 c are overlapped. Thus, in thismoving direction of the central member 95, the basic factor 95 b comesto a position at which the working surfaces 99 c and 99 c′ of the basicfactor 95 c are held opposite to the attraction members 101 d and 101d′, respectively. In this state, the pulsating current applied to thewinding 65 of the basic factor 95 c goes OFF. However, at this positionof the basic factor 95 b, the positional relationship between the basicfactor 95 a and the attraction member 101 b becomes the same as thepositional relationship between the basic factor 95 b before itsmovement and the attraction members 101 c and 101 c′ shown in FIG. 9, sothat when a pulsating current having the same pulse width as thepulsating current applied to the winding 65 of the basic factor 95 c isapplied to the winding 65 of the basic factor 95 a, the basic factor 95a, that is, the central member 95, moves to the position at which theworking surfaces 95 a and 95 a′ of the basic factor 95 a are heldopposite to the attraction members 101 b and 101 b′, respectively. Inthis case, the pulsating current applied to the basic factor 95 a goesOFF at the above-described position of the central member 95. Further,when the basic factor 95 a comes to the position of the attractionmember 101 a, the positional relationship between the basic factor 95 cand the attraction members 101 e and 101 e′ is the same as thepositional relationship between the basic factor 95 b before itsmovement in FIG. 9 and the attraction members 101 c and 101 c′ so thatthe same DC pulsating current is applied to the basic factor 95 a.Further, the working surfaces 99 c and 99 c′ of the basic factor 95 ccome to line opposite to the attraction members 101 e and 101 e′,respectively, that is, to the same position in the overlapping directionof the basic factors, the DC pulsating current goes OFF and theabove-described operations are repeated. That is, by repeatedly applyingthe same DC pulsating current having the same pulse width to thewindings of the basic factors 95 b→95 a→95 c→95 b→95 a→95 c in thatorder, the central member 95 moves gradually along the overlappingdirection of the attraction members 101 a through 101 i . . . 101 a′through 101 i′, that is, in FIG. 9, from the upper left portion towardthe lower right portion in accordance with the pulse width and timeinterval of the applied DC pulsating current.

It should be noted that with respect to the linear motor 93 shown inFIG. 9, the structure was described above in which the central member 95is made movable while the attraction members 101 a through 101 i . . .101 a′ through 101 i′ are held stationary but it is also possible tomake the central member stationary and to make the attraction membersmovable gradually.

Referring to FIGS. 10, 11A, 11B and 11C, a rotary motor 103 according toa third embodiment of the present invention makes use of the basicstructure of the motor shown in FIG. 6. The rotary motor 103 is providedwith three basic factors 73, 75 and 105 arranged in series along acentral axis 71. A core 109 includes four pairs of upper and lowermagnetic legs arranged radially at equal pitch of 90 degrees about thecentral axis 71 so as to form a cross and a permanent magnet element 19is connected to each of the pairs of magnetic legs of the core 109.

Consequently, each of the basic factors 73, 75 and 105 is provided witha total of four working surfaces 55 a, 55 b, 55 c and 55 d spacedequally by 90 degrees along the circumference about the central axis 71.

Accordingly, each of the basic factors 73, 75 and 105 can generatetherearound an output of four times that of the basic factor shown inFIG. 6 by the application thereto of the same input value as in thecases of the basic factors shown in FIGS. 7, 8A and 8B.

As shown in FIG. 10, each of the basic factors 73, 75 and 105 has fourworking surfaces 55 a, 55 b, 55 c and 55 d which are arranged about thecentral shaft 71 in such a manner that they are shifted from one anotherby 30 degrees in the clockwise direction.

Now, the operation of the motor 103 will be described by referring toFIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C.

At the position shown in FIG. 11B, when a DC pulsating current having apredetermined pulse width is applied to the windings (not shown) of thebasic factor 75, a attractive force is generated between each of theworking surfaces 55 a through 55 d and each of the attraction members107 a through 107 d and the working surfaces are rotated by 30 degreesin the clockwise direction so that they are held in the same positionalrelationship as that shown in FIG. 11C and at this point of time, the DCpulsating current goes OFF to make the attractive force of each of theworking surfaces 55 a through 55 d zero.

Next, at the above-described point, the working surfaces and theattraction members of the basic factor 73 shown in FIG. 11A are held inthe same positional relationship as that between the working surfacesand the attraction members of the basic factor 75 shown in FIG. 11 b sothat when the same DC pulsating current is applied to the windings (notshown) of the basic factor 73, a attractive force is generated betweeneach of the working surfaces 55 a through 55 d and each of theattraction members 107 a through 107 d and the working surfaces and theattraction members of the basic factor 73 are held in the samepositional relationship as that between the working surfaces and theattraction members of the basic factor 105 shown in FIG. 11C. In thiscase, the basic factor 105 actually takes a position to which it hasrotated clockwise by 90 degrees from its position shown in FIG. 11B.

Similarly, when a DC pulsating current is applied to the windings (notshown) of the basic factor 105, a attractive force is generated betweeneach of the working surfaces 55 a through 55 d and each of theattraction members 107 d, 107 a through 107 d so that the basic factor105 takes a position to which it has rotated by 90 degrees from itsposition shown in FIG. 11C.

Thus, in the above-described manner, when a DC pulsating current isapplied to the windings of the basic factors 75→73→105→75→73→105 for apredetermined period of time (i.e., pulse width) at equal intervals,these basic factors rotate in the clockwise direction by 30 degreesevery time when the DC pulsating current is applied.

In the above-described third embodiment of the present invention, adescription has been made in which the attraction members 107 a through107 d serve as a fixed stator and the three basic factors 73, 75 and 105serve as a rotor, it is also possible to make these attraction membersserve as a rotor and to made these basic factors serve as fixed statorsto thereby construct a rotary type stepping motor.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, a rotary motor 113 according to a fourthembodiment of the present invention is a motor using basic factors andhaving a power generating function. The rotary motor 113 is providedwith a rotor 111 as a first drive member formed by three basic factors73, 75 and 105 arranged in series about a rotary shaft 123 . Further,each of the basic factors 73, 75 and 105 is provided with four workingsurfaces 55 a, 55 b, 55 c and 55 d and three windings 65 a, 65 b and 65c. The four working surfaces 55 a, 55 b, 55 c and 55 d are so formedthat they are shifted from one another by 30 degrees. Further, outsidethe four equally-divided positions along a circle formed by the workingsurfaces 55 a, 55 b, 55 c and 55 d there are provided four basicfactors, respectively, in three series with their working surfaces 55being kept facing inside thereby forming stators 115, 117, 119 and 121serving as a second drive member.

In this case, since no electric current is applied to the coils of thefour basic factors 59 serving as stators 115, 117, 119 and 121, thesebasic factors can perform the same function as the attraction members asdescribed with reference to the third embodiment of the presentinvention.

Further, in the same manner as described with reference to FIG. 10, inFIG. 12, when a DC pulsating current is applied to the first, second andthird coils 65 a, 65 b and 65 c of each of the basic factors 73, 75 and105 of the rotor 111 in the order of the basic factors75→73→105→75→73→105 in sequence, the coils are excited and the rotor 111located inside rotates by 30 degrees every time of application of the DCpulsating current.

However, the rotary motor according to the fourth embodiment differsfrom that according to the third embodiment in that in the case of theformer, at the moment when the pulsating current applied to the firstcoil 65 a goes OFF, the magnetic fluxes formed by the permanent magnetelements 29 are separated from each other to change their paths to runtoward the closed paths formed by the cores of the permanent magnets.Consequently, the magnetic flux by the permanent magnet elements 29 andthe first coil 27 a and the magnetic flux formed by the permanent magnetelements 29 and the first coil 27 a′ are crossed to generate power sothat an output is obtained from each of the first coils 27 a and 27 a′.

Similarly, the rotary motor according to the fourth embodiment differsfrom the rotary motor shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 in the point that at themoment when the pulsating current applied to the second coil 65 b goesOFF and at the moment when the pulsating current applied to the thirdcoil 65 c goes OFF, an output is obtained from each of the second coils27 b and 27 b′ and an output is obtained from each of the third coils 27c and 27 c′.

Accordingly, when the rotor 111 is rotated, an output is obtained fromthe central shaft 127 and at the same time, a surplus output is obtainedfrom each the coils 27 a, 27 a′, 27 b, 27 b′, 27 c and 27 c′ of thestators 115, 117, 119 and 121, respectively. That is, the rotary motor113 has a power generating function.

In the case of the rotary motor 113 according to the fourth embodimenthaving the above-described structure, if the motor is so constructedthat the output from each of the coils 27 a, 27 a′, 27 b, 27 b′, 27 cand 27 c′ is inputted again to the first, second and third coils 65 a,65 b and 65 c, the energy efficiency of the motor can be increased.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possibleto provide a stepping motor using a basic factor which has an improvedenergy efficiency and which is excellent in practical use.

Further, it is possible with the present invention to provide a steppingmotor using a basic factor and having the function of a generator at thesame time.

Still further, it is possible with the present invention to provide alinear motor in the form of a motor using the above-described basicfactor.

In addition, it is possible with the present invention to provide astepping rotary motor in the form of a motor using the above-describedbasic factor.

1. A motor using basic factors and having a generator function, whichcomprises a first drive member having first basic factors each providedwith first working surfaces outside thereof and first windings at thecenter thereof, and a second drive member having second basic factorseach provided with second working surfaces inside thereof and secondwindings outside thereof, each of said first working surfaces being heldopposite to each of said second working surfaces leaving a predeterminedinterval from each other at a position at which said first drive memberarrives as a result of its single rotation about said rotary shaft, saidfirst basic factor comprising a first electromagnet element and firstpermanent magnet elements arranged on both sides of said firstelectromagnet element through contact surfaces, respectively, said firstelectromagnet element comprising a first magnetic core having anH-shaped section and a first coil wound around the magnetic core, saidfirst permanent magnetic element being provided at both end portions ofsaid H-shaped section and comprising first permanent magnets and firstmagnetic members sandwiching each of said first permanent magnetstherebetween, said first permanent magnet having a length shorter than adistance between said end portion of said H-shaped section, said firstworking surfaces and the said contact surfaces being held opposite toeach other through said permanent magnet element on both sides of saidfirst electromagnet element, said second basic factor comprising asecond electromagnet element and second permanent magnet elementsarranged on a side of said second electromagnet element through contactsurfaces, respectively, said second electromagnet element comprising asecond magnetic core having an C-shaped section and a second coil woundaround the second magnetic core, said second permanent magnet elementbeing provided at both end portions of said C-shaped section andcomprising a second permanent magnet and second magnetic memberssandwiching said second permanent magnet therebetween, said secondpermanent magnet having a length shorter than a distance between saidend portion of said C-shaped section, said second working surfaces andsaid second contact surfaces being held opposite to each other throughsaid first permanent magnet element on both side of said electromagnetelement, when a DC pulsating current is applied, it is applied to saidfirst windings for a consecutive period of time, said first workingsurfaces applying a attractive force to said second working surfacesonly for that consecutive period of time so that said first drive memberrotates relative to said second drive member and a DC pulsating currentgenerating in said second windings is derived therefrom.
 2. The motor asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second basic factors arearranged in a plurality of series in the direction of said rotary shaftwith the central axes thereof being held coincident with one another. 3.The motor as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said first basicfactors is provided with a pair of working surfaces arrangedsymmetrically with each other with respect to said rotary shaft.
 4. Themotor as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of said first basic factorshas its first working surfaces at equally divided angular positions,respectively, along a circle about said rotary shaft.
 5. The motor asclaimed in claim 4, wherein said first basic factors are arranged inseries along said rotary shaft with their central axes coinciding withone another, each of said first basic factors having four first workingsurfaces which are respectively arranged at equally-divided (90°)angular positions along a circle about said rotary shaft, said secondbasic factors being in series along said rotary shaft at a plurality ofequally-divided angular positions along a circle about said rotary shaftat which said second working surfaces are arranged with the number ofsaid second basic factors being the same as that of said first basicfactors.
 6. The motor as claimed in claim 5, wherein said first basicfactors are three in number, the first working surfaces of the adjoiningfirst basic factors being arranged at equally-divided 30° angularpositions, respectively, along a circle about said rotary shaft andwherein said adjoining second basic factors are arranged atequally-divided 90° angular positions, respectively, along a circleabout said rotary shaft.
 7. The motor as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid first drive member is a rotor, said second drive member being astator.